Chapter 115: Body Modification and Prodigy!

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Body Modification and Prodigy!

"Shūichi!"

While studying the Flying Thunder God Technique in his study, Shūichi looked up and out the window. It was Sarutobi Shinonosuke in his Anbu attire. Shūichi stood up immediately and opened the window to step outside.

"This is the intel you requested about Sunagakure."

Shinonosuke handed him a rolled-up piece of paper.

Shūichi's thoughts quickly shifted away from the Flying Thunder God as he took the paper and unrolled it to read.

"As expected..."

Shūichi's expression darkened.

Already familiar with the intel, Sarutobi Shinonosuke asked, "So, do you think this person conspired with the Third Kazekage to kill Sakumo-senpai?"

Sasori of the Red Sand!

The genius puppet master from Sunagakure's puppet corps!

Yes, Sasori might have been a genius, but he wasn't famous in Sunagakure for his combat prowess or puppet manipulation, which was why Konoha had little information on him.

He had never fought any Konoha shinobi before, so he wasn't on their radar.

Shūichi nodded. "This guy's parents were killed by Sakumo-senpai in the last Great Ninja War."

Sarutobi Shinonosuke, still doubtful, added, "Even so, the intel says he attempted to assassinate the Kazekage three times and has defected from Sunagakure. He clearly sees the Third Kazekage as an enemy—would he really team up with him?"

Shūichi shook his head. "I can't be sure. It's just a suspicion."

Then he asked, "What does the Third Hokage think?"

Sarutobi replied, "Tracking down Sasori of the Red Sand has been very difficult."

Shūichi nodded in understanding. "Got it."

Sarutobi, knowing Shūichi's daring nature despite his calm exterior, cautioned, "Shūichi, I know you have a deep gratitude toward Sakumo-senpai for his guidance, but the Kazekage isn't an easy target to assassinate."

"You're strong, but the Third Kazekage's abilities are well-rounded, both offensively and defensively. It won't be easy."

Shūichi was fully aware of the gap between him and the Third Kazekage, so he smiled, "Don't worry, Captain. I'm not reckless—I value my life too much."

Behind his mask, Sarutobi couldn't help but think, "You might not be reckless, but you sure love to stir up trouble!"

With that, the conversation ended. Sarutobi handed Shūichi another piece of intel. "This one's for Danzo."

Shūichi took it, and Sarutobi disappeared.

Back in his study, Shūichi glanced at the second piece of intel and raised an eyebrow.

The "Pseudo-Tailed Beast Jinchūriki Project"?

"Through Orochimaru, Danzo must have learned about my ability to control the power of the Four-Tails. This plan... how interesting."

Shūichi chuckled.

It was clearly a probe into Danzo's ambitions, but Shūichi didn't mind.

He casually burned the paper and returned to studying the Flying Thunder God Technique.

A month had passed, and he still hadn't fully mastered the Flying Thunder God seal.

It was, admittedly, a bit challenging.

---

At the Experimental Base

Watching Orochimaru unwrap his bandages and slowly dress himself, Shūichi was startled inwardly.

"As expected, although his chakra's essence hasn't changed, the feeling he gives off is entirely different."

At this moment, Shūichi could sense that Orochimaru's chakra had become colder and even carried a faint snake-like quality.

And this was just the first experiment.

Orochimaru moved his body slightly, clearly satisfied, and smiled at Shūichi. "Shūichi-kun, you've mastered Tsunade's monstrous strength, haven't you?"

Shūichi nodded. "Are you asking me to use that strength to attack you?"

Orochimaru grinned. "It's the best way to test this, after all."

Shūichi had no objections.

The two left the experimental base and went to a nearby open area.

"Be careful, Orochimaru-sama!"

With a burst of chakra, Shūichi's figure shot forward.

Boom!

The ground caved in as Shūichi's fist created a large crater, and in the next instant, he twisted his body and launched another attack toward Orochimaru.

This time, he moved even faster, reaching Orochimaru just as he landed.

Engaging in close-quarters combat, each of Shūichi's punches landed with incredible force, forcing even Orochimaru, who wasn't weak in taijutsu, to retreat.

However, Shūichi noticed that some of his power was being deflected, making it hard to deliver full-force blows.

Clearly, Orochimaru's body modification had worked well.

Crack!

Orochimaru's jaw was dislocated by a punch from Shūichi, sending him flying.

Shūichi didn't follow up with another attack.

Orochimaru got up, calmly repositioned his jaw, and said with a smile, "Looks like it's not quite there yet."

"How did it feel, Shūichi-kun?"

Shūichi seriously responded, "Your ability to deflect force was impressive, but at the level of bone impact, it's still ineffective."

Orochimaru nodded. "Let's schedule the next experiment for a month from now."

He seemed pleased with the results.

After all, body modification was only one part of his overall plan—merely a foundation.

His ultimate goal was to achieve a form akin to the White Phosphorus Snake, with shedding and regeneration abilities. Researching the power of tailed beasts and Hashirama's cells was all part of that objective.

It was a goal he hadn't shared with Shūichi.

This time, his overall ninjutsu talent had been upgraded across the board, which naturally included body flicker techniques and space-time ninjutsu.

Additionally, the improvements in chakra nature and shape transformations covered a wide range of abilities.

"This will speed up my progress in genjutsu too."

Shūichi was quite satisfied with this boost. Although it wasn't an immediate surge in power, the long-term effects would be substantial.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, the Tag Tree moved again.

Above [Ninjutsu Professor], a new tag leaf appeared.

Tag: [Prodigy]

Condition to Obtain: [Genius] + [Pioneer] + [Ninjutsu Professor] + [Taijutsu Expert] + [Ninja Tool Expert] + [Kenjutsu Expert] + [Body Flicker Expert] + [Clone Expert] + [Substitution Expert] + [Transformation Expert] + [Genjutsu Expert] + [Sealing Expert] + [Space-Time Envoy] + [Medical Expert] + [Sensory Expert] = Prodigy

Tag Effect: 10x thought processing speed, 100% increased comprehension, 100% increased physical constitution. In the field of learning, you are already a god, and as a god, there is nothing you cannot master. If it's in front of you, there's nothing you can't learn!

Reading the description, Shūichi froze.

"Well, well, a super-synthesized tag."

But the effects were immensely powerful.

The doubling of his physical constitution was impressive, but the real highlight was the 10x thought processing speed and doubled comprehension.

Previously, his comprehension had been enhanced by the [Konoha Genius] tag, but that was only a 50% increase. Now, it was doubled, and comprehension applied to far more areas than just ninjutsu.

While ninjutsu talent covered only the area of ninjutsu, comprehension affected every aspect of learning.

The most important part was the final effect.

"Prodigy"—as the name suggested—meant a god in the field of learning. A god is omnipotent, and there's nothing they can't learn.

With this tag, if something existed, it meant he could master it.

This included Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, and Kekkei Mōra!

Shūichi couldn't help but lick his lips. This was truly tempting.

And acquiring this synthesized tag wasn't too far off for him.

At the moment, he only lacked the [Genjutsu Expert] and [Space-Time Envoy] tags.

Once he mastered the Flying Thunder God, he could unlock [Space-Time Envoy].

As for [Genjutsu Expert], he still needed to master techniques like Binding Illusion and Temple of Nirvana to the required proficiency level.

The Binding Illusion, much like the Body Flicker Technique, was a genjutsu that also referred to a class of techniques—specifically, binding-type illusions.

For example, Mount Myōboku's Toad Confrontation Chant and Uchiha Itachi's Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.

These techniques had a similar effect—like sleep paralysis, where the victim's mind remained conscious, but their body was immobilized.

The strength of these illusions varied, depending on the user's skill.

Even though Orochimaru was a top-tier genjutsu user, he was easily defeated by a much younger Uchiha Itachi.

The Binding Illusion technique given by Danzo was ranked B-level, and in terms of difficulty, it was easier to learn than A-level techniques like Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Temple of Nirvana, a sleep-inducing illusion.

"Almost there... almost..."

Shūichi refocused.

Even if this tag only made him a god of learning, it was still incredibly impressive.

If something were placed in front of him, there would be no way he couldn't learn it.

Many people, even with the answer right in front of them, still wouldn't understand it.

Shūichi had experienced that feeling before.

"This year, I should be able to unlock [Genjutsu Expert]. Now, should I use 'Flash of Insight' to master the Flying Thunder God? With some preparation, 10 minutes should be enough."

Shūichi pondered. "But even without 'Flash of Insight,' I'm confident I'll master it—just might take a bit more time."

So, should he use "Flash of Insight"?

With proper preparation, "Flash of Insight" was more than enough for him to develop an S-rank jutsu and unlock a master-level tag.

Knock knock!

Suddenly, a knocking sound snapped Shūichi out of his thoughts.

Shizune's voice followed, "Shūichi, a seriously injured patient just arrived, and Lady Nono wants you to come quickly!"

"Coming!"

Shūichi immediately stood up and left, quickly heading to the hospital room with Shizune.

Huh?

Seeing the patient on the bed, Shūichi paused in surprise.

This is... a young Hayate Gekkō?

Looking toward the hospital director, Nono Yakushi, who was reviewing Gekkō's medical records, Shūichi quickly asked, "Director, what's wrong with this child?"

Nono replied, "Lung disease. The exact cause is still unclear, but his lungs have already begun irreversible fibrosis."

"It's suspected to be related to the awakening of a Kekkei Genkai, but further evaluation is needed to confirm."

Lung fibrosis?

Kekkei Genkai?

Could it be a Kekkei Genkai illness?

Transparent Escape Technique?

One thought after another flashed through Shūichi's mind.

(End of Chapter)

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